Life Plan Devotion #41 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part II]

Hi, Everyone.
Here's part II of F.I.R.S.T. Place. As always, I love it when you share your thoughts and life with me.

Life Plan Devotion #41 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part II]

     Last time, I asked you if God has first place in your life. I introduced an acronym, F.I.R.S.T., and we looked at the first of 5 areas, finances. Today, we'll look at the second area.
     Interests--Think about your interests, what you like to do in your spare time. Perhaps you like to watch television, read, spend time on the computer, etc. Take stock of the content of your interests. Is God honored by that which you see or read or do? If God were to make a surprise appearance at your front door, would your first reaction be to shut the door and turn something off or throw something away? How does your thought life (the starting point of all "interests") measure up to the Biblical directive to think about that which is "pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8)? As Paul writes, "Those things...do" (v. 9). Is God first in your interests?

I Corinthians 10:31b
"...Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

What this has to do with weight loss: For each person on the weight-loss journey, every part of the weight-loss process becomes a major area of interest. Much time is spent making and carrying out plans, so one can be successful. That honors God, if one's intent is to honor God with his/her body. However, if one's interests turn to a transfer addiction (shopping, alcohol, drugs, promiscuous sex, etc.), then God is not honored. Whatever you do, if you do it all for the glory of God, He is first in your interests.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are many things, people, and activities that interest me. My desire is to be involved only in the interests that bring honor and glory to You. I want You to be the center of every interest. Be the Lord of my interests. Be first place in my life. And, Lord, if I'm involved in any interest that does not honor You, I ask that You give me that nudge in my spirit, and help me to get that interest out of my life, through Your power. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your interests.

Blessings,
Mary

Good Morning, Mary.

Now today hits me hard.  Its not that I have bad interests, I just don't seem to be involved in much of anything.  Too much time spent doing not enough.  I hear all the time how crazy busy people are, but that is not me.  Perhaps it's that I don't have children, goodness knows they will keep a person busy.  I know that I need to "find a hobby", but I appreciate your point about it being one that honors God.

Have a wonderful day,
Vickie

Hi, Vickie.
I understand and have been there. I would encourage you, though, to find something to do. You have God-given talents that He wants you to use to minister to others. If that's a scary thing for you, start small. Begin by finding a hobby you can do solo, at home. Then expand by doing something at home that will benefit others (like making baby afghans for a local hospital). Once you're comfortable with that, do something outside the home that will get you with other people (teach a kids' S.S. class, attend a women's meeting, etc.).
Keep me posted on how God leads you in this. :)
Blessings,
Mary

Vicki a great place to look for work that's pleasing to God is a church if you belong to one. Our church is small but we have a knitting group that meets once a week. Actually we knit, crochet and any other project that someone may have. Our main purpose is to make prayer shawls, prayer bears (we buy these but make pretty scarves for them), baby blankets and hats and scarves to give to the homeless in the winter. It's heart warming to hear how these items bring joy and comfort to people. It's always fun to see each other's projects and ooh and awe over them. Seems every church big or small has more work than workers.